Combined box and writing-desk.



, E. P. LYNCH. COMBINED BOX AND WRITING DESK.

APPLIOATION FILED APR. 13, 1908.

new. a. GRAHAM 00. PHOYOLIYNQGRAPHERS, WASHINGTON. n. c.

'Paten ted Aug. 10, 1909.

EDWARD P. LYNCH,- OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

COMBINED BOX AND WRITING-DESK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 10, 1909.

Application filed April 13, 1908. Serial No. 426,902.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD P. LYNoH, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Boxes and Writing-Desks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to devices for theaid and convenience of letter writers, consisting primarily of certain improvements by means of which folded and unruled sheets of letter paper can be moreconveniently written on. And secondarily adapting these conveniences so they can be associated with the ordinary box in which manufacturers and dealers place certain amountsof letter paper and envelops, with a view of general trade. y

In using folded sheets of letterpaper some difficulty is found in writing on the inside portion of the sheet on account of the need of reversing the fold, or holding the sheet open; troubles which are greatly increased by the frequent absence of a blotter. If the paper is imruled there is difliculty in using a inc sheet with exactness; there is, too, the need of keeping the paper from being soiled.

The improvements herein described will do away with the inconveniences mentioned, and in addition, provide a means by which every purchaser of a box of letter paper can at a trifling cost have the added convenience of a desk-like support for the paper and hand when writing. 7 i

Embodiments of my invention under a few of its forms are hereinafter described and are shown in the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a plan view of an open box containing letter paper and envelope and embodies one form of my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section showing the same form in closed position and with an external cover in place. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section showing a modified arrangement. Fig. 5 is a similar section showing the same arrangement in a different position.

Taking up first that part of my invention which relates to combining its primary features with the secondary; I refer first to Figs. 1, 2 and 3. A. box to hold letter paper and envelope is shown at 1, Fig. 1, it being of any desired size and constructed of suitable of supplying the needs material, plain or ornamented as preferred.

To a side of 1 is connected by flexible material or a hinge joint, a sufficiently rigid piece 2, which in size should not exceed the dimensions of the box 1, and which can be arranged to form the cover of the box or held and concealed by a separate cover 6, Fig. 3. In either case 2 can be opened outwardly as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or closed inwardly as in Fig. 3. When open so as to rest on a surface in common with the box 1, it forms a writing desk. If 2 is connected closely to the upper edge of 1, thedesk it forms when opened will have an inclined surface. If a level writing surface is desired the parts connecting 2 to 1 can be made of such length and secured to 2 in such way that 2 when opened will be horizontal.

, The primary features of my invention relate tothe paper support 2 and the parts at tached to it as shown in detail of Fig. 2. To

one side of 2 (which will be referred tohereafter as the lower side) is secured the piece 3 so as to form with 2 a pocket v4, in which the lower part of, one or many sheets of letter paper can be placed and held while being written on. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the paper. pocket 4 is best adapted for a single sheet of folded paper, but as 3 is made of pliable material, slight bends as shown at 6 in detail of Fig. 2, adapts it to receive many sheets of paper. As 3 is made sufficiently large to cover the greater part of the lower half of a sheet of paper, it is evident that it tends to hold the paper in place and protect it from being soiled and forms a support for the hand when writing. To the outer or free edge of 3 a blotter 5 can be hinged so as to form an added pad for the hand when it rests on 3. The blotter 5 when turned upward will readily blot the written surface. 5 and 3 can be made of one piece of blotting paper. Preferably I make the pocket 4 with open ends so that it will act as a holder for paper which unfolded, is wider than the support 2. For the convenience of Writers who use unruled paper, and especially for those who use it in unfolded sheets, of which a number can be placed in the holding pocket at one time, I secure to 2 at or near its upper end by a flexi ble or hinged connection, a line sheet 9; by lifting up its free end a number of sheets of paper can be placed in the holder and be practically covered by 9 and 3. To use 9, place it under the upper end of the first sheet of paper. The flexible connection will keep 9 in place; the pad 3 with the hand on it when writing will hold the paper. This arrangement makes writing on unruled paper as satisfactory as on ruled. In addition I make 9 of fairly firm material, and the connections that secure it to 2 of such length that each sheet as it is Written on has a good and uniform support the line sheet 9 resting evenly upon the paper regardless of the number of sheets that are in the pocket.

In Figs. 4 and 5 I have shown a modified arrangement embodying the same general principle. In this form the writing desk instead of being an inner lid hinged to the box, is an outer lid which in itself forms the box cover 6. The lower side edges of the cover shown at 7 in Fig. 5 are formed upon lines which are inclined relatively to its upper edges and to the box so that the cover when removed and resting upon such inclined edges forms in itself the writing desk. The holder 3 and flap 5, formed as before in a single piece, or of two hinged together are in this case connected flexible, as by the hinge 8 to the lower instead of the upper surface of the desk, but at the same end. In preparing this form of the device for use, the cover is removed and the pocket and flap brought around outside into the position of Fig. 4. By comparing the latter with Fig. 2 it will be seen that the arrangement of inclined desk, paper holder, hand rest and blotter are the same, and can be employed with the same facility and for the same convenience of the writer.

The primary features of my invention can be advantageously used independent of the box 1 and I make specific claims for their novel parts. It is evident that their combi-' nation with the box 1 will extend their usefulness.

What I claim is:

1. A combined letter paper holder and writing desk comprising a box to hold the letter paper, a desk associated therewith and having at its lower end a flap forming a pocket, substantially as described.

2. In combination with a box for holding paper, a hinged leaf, a flap secured to the lower end of the leaf and extending upwardly to form a pocket, said flap also acting as a hand rest.

3. In combination with a box for holding paper, a hinged leaf, a flap connected to one end of said leaf and extending toward its other end to form a pocket, and a lined sheet connected to the other end of said leaf, substantially as described.

4. In combination with a box for holding paper, a hinged leaf having a flap connected to one end and extending toward the other end to form a pocket, a blotter secured to the free end of said flap, and a lined sheet connected to the other end of said leaf, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have aflixed my signature in presence of two witnesses this 3rd day of April, A. D. 1908.

EDWARD P. LYNCH. lVitnesses:

JAMES It. Roenns, KATHERINE FOREMAN. 

